Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation

Trip Highlights

Collecting eggs you find on the beach, and taking them to the hatchery (“vivero”) for protection

Searching for marked turtles and collecting data

Live on the pacific coast of central America with it’s beautiful beaches

Trip Summary

For the turtle species to continue to exist, much help is needed from both local communities and volunteers. One way in which you can help is to assist during the turtle-nesting season, and this turtle conservation project in Costa Rica provides you with the opportunity to do just that.

At present, only a tiny number of the eggs laid will grow to become an adult turtle. Human interference cannot be held solely responsible; however, our behaviour has greatly diminished turtle population sizes.

Interested and want to find out more? Download more trip information and detailed itinerary HERE!

Trip Info

The aim of the project is to help protect and preserve some natural nesting sites that do not hold an official category of protection from the Costa Rican Government.

These species are in danger of extinction as a result of various human activities such as infrastructure development, light pollution, transportation of vehicles and the capture of adult turtles.

This means it is increasingly important to help conserve nesting sites, which are crucial to the continued existence of the turtles; by volunteering on this amazing programme you will be able to play your part in securing the future of these fascinating creatures.

During your time as a volunteer on this programme you may undertake various activities such as those listed below. These activities may depend on the project you are located at:

Helping to construct a turtle hatchery

Describing the nesting dynamics of the female sea turtles that arrive on the beach, enabling their protection for the next season

Protecting and closely monitoring the recovered eggs in the hatchery

Patrolling the beach to look for sea turtles and nests at night, on a rotational basis

Usually for two or four hours, however during the high season, the patrols could last up to four or five hours

Marking turtles that are nesting, trying to build a nest or returning to the ocean

Searching for marked turtles and collecting data

Collecting the eggs you find on the beach, and taking them to the hatchery ("vivero") for protection

Gathering information on the whole process by monitoring the hatchery and keeping track of every event

Releasing "neonatos" (baby sea turtles) from the hatchery, by taking them to the beach and letting them go near the ocean

Helping with maintenance of the facilities of the project (the shelter), and ensuring the beach is kept clean during the day

Planting trees in different areas of the beach and town

Orientation

Your orientation will be held in Alajuela on the first Monday of your stay, you will be collected from your accommodation at around 8.30am and taken to the offices of our in-country team.

During the orientation you will be given a welcome pack containing lots of useful information regarding your programme. Your orientation will cover:

Local culture – social norms, traditions and culture

Expected behaviour - safety whilst on the programme

Safety - areas and places to avoid, what to do in an emergency

Locations of important amenities - banks, hospitals, embassies

You'll be transferred to the project site using public transport, the local team will give full instructions and ensure you have all of the information you need to make the journey.

Overall Rating 8/10

shona hathway

How do you rate your arrival overseas and orientation (if applicable)?

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

What were the highlights of your trip?

Working with the turtles, seeing the baby turtles come up through the sand. The amazing country, the wildlife - what an amazing country.

Is there anything else you would have liked to have added to your itinerary?

No but the people running our project became ill and we were left with not enough to do

Tips for other travellers?

Take bug spray, learn the language (if possible)

Any other comments?

It was an amazing experience and I would do it again, but feel we were let down because the people were running became ill and I felt I was left with too much leisure time in a location where I could not have a proper 'holiday' , i.e. shopping, eating out etc.

How would you rate your overall experience?

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

What were the highlights of your trip?

Having the beach 100m in front of me and the jungle 200m behind. Being able to work with amazing animals in a fantastic location.

Tips for other travellers?

1) Learn some spanish (trust me, you'll need it if only to have a small conversation). 2) Don't forget you're in the jungle, so be prepared for the humidity. 3) Take bite cream, the sand fleas at me alive!

How would you rate your overall experience?

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

What were the highlights of your trip?

Volunteering on both the Caribbean and Pacific side was amazing, would go again if I could. Seeing baby turtles waddling to the sea, watching the big turtles lay eggs... completely unforgettable and worthwhile.

How would you rate your overall experience?

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

What were the highlights of your trip?

-releasing the baby sea turtles into the ocean -watching the sunrise during my hatchery watch -found some new friends from all over the world -peaceful and quiet beach surroundings dotted with the Costa Rica culture and foliage -learning about the culture and the nearby school

Tips for other travellers?

-be prepared to go with the flow and laugh about it -while there, be open to new opportunities -treasure your time in another country

Accommodation & Meals

On arrival into Costa Rica, you will be taken to a hostel in Alajuela where you will spend one or two nights (depending on the bus schedule to the project location) during your orientation.

Following this you will transfer to your project location, this will be decided by our in-country team, and is determined by the requirements of the project at the time of your visit.

Buena Vista: The accommodation at the project is very basic and rustic; however it is comfortable and has a great, relaxed atmosphere. There will be no electricity; however a shower and a bathroom are available (cold water only).

Refugio Playa Hermosa/Punta Mala: There are two stations at this wild life refuge where accommodation is on a camp site, however a shower and a bathroom are available (cold water only). Limited 110V electricity available.

Montezuma: The accommodation at the project is very basic and rustic located in the village of Montezuma within walking distance to the beach where volunteer work takes place. There is electricity. Shower and a bathroom are available (cold water only).

Zapotillal/Pirate´s Bay: The accommodation at the project is basic and rustic located on the hill within walking distance to the beach where volunteer work takes place. There is electricity. Shower and a bathroom are available (cold water only).

Junquillal: The accommodation at the project is basic and rustic located in the village of Junquillal within walking distance to the beach where volunteer work takes place. There is electricity. Shower and a bathroom are available (cold water only).

There is an on-site cook at all locations who will prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for you while at the project. Meals will mainly consist of beans, pasta, rice, meat, cereals and a variety of vegetables and seasonal fruits.

More Accommodation & Meals

Flights

Costa Rica flights

Your flight to Costa Rica should arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), San Jose, Costa Rica at any time on your programme start date, and your return flight should be arranged for your programme end date.

To book your flights, please contact your travel advisor who will do their best to get you the best deal on the day. Please provide them with your full name as it is stated in your passport. Before you make the call please make sure you have your required departure dates, return dates and other details you may require.

Please note: If you are flying to Costa Rica via the USA you will need to obtain Travel Authorisation by registering online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) no later than 72 hours before departure. This is compulsory and will cost USD$14 to register. To register, please visit: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

It is important that once you have booked your flights you add these details to your Online account, or alternatively you can contact us with your departure date, the flight number and arrival time at your destination.

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Eligibility & FAQ's

Minimum age 18, maximum dependent on health and fitness of potential participant.

Is It Ok To Be A Vegetarian?

Yes that's fine as the food is mainly beans, rice, vegetables and fruit.

What Are The Start Dates?

The 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.

What Are The Durations Of This Trip?

1 to 4 weeks.

Do I Have To Know Spanish To Take Part On This Placement?

It’s helpful to have a basic knowledge of Spanish. You can take part on a week’s Spanish school before you start your volunteer project.